WAN Show: Fortnite Crunch, Intel Roadmap & PC Gaming Trends

Work Culture and Gaming Industry

Linus and Luke dive deep into the recent reports regarding the industry-wide issue of crunch culture, specifically highlighting the situation at Epic Games with Fortnite. They discuss the realities of game development, the unsustainable long hours, and the pressure companies face to keep "Games as a Service" projects alive and profitable.

• Linus compares game studio stress to his own experience managing a growing media company.
• The challenges of maintaining a live-service game like Fortnite, where patches and updates are required constantly.
• The distinction between salaried and contract employees regarding overtime compensation.

"Intense crunch is no, like, the gaming industry is no stranger to intense crunch... But normally that doesn't happen indefinitely, with no light at the end of the tunnel."

Future of Hardware and Gaming Trends

They examine a leaked Intel roadmap for 2021, expressing skepticism over Intel's reliance on 14nm processes for high-core mobile chips. Additionally, they discuss industry reports suggesting a shift of PC gamers to consoles due to rising GPU costs and the homogenization of features like VRR (variable refresh rate) and high refresh rate support on consoles.

Gaming Experiences

• Discussion on the "solved" nature of older games like World of Warcraft Classic and how online guides can diminish the discovery element of gaming.
• The hosts share their experiences playing Anno, noting the low-pressure gameplay compared to modern high-stakes shooters.
• An update on the FPV racing drone goggles project for LTX, which aims to provide an immersive, real-world racing experience.